Lululemon Athletica Inc founder Chip Wilson on Monday announced his resignation from the company’s board of members.
Announcing his decision in a statement on Tuesday, Wilson said, “I believe that now is the right time to step away.”
Wilson, who founded Lululemon in 1998, has been a controversial figure in the past as he had helped in turning the Canadian yogawear retailer into a global success story.
Wilson pulled back from the day-to-day management in early 2012, while resigned from the chairman in late 2013.
In early 2013 when the company was badly hit by a large-scale recall of yoga pants, which was its signature product, after consumers complained about overly see-through, Wilson again took center stage by participating in more active role in operations.
After the recall, many top executives had to quit the company.
The problems further grew after Wilson issued a comment saying fabric used in some of the company’s pants was unable to hold up due to the reason that the thighs of obese customers rubbed together.
“Some women’s bodies just actually don’t work for Lululemon’s clothing,” he had said.
His comments triggered an uproar as the protesters accused him of blaming quality issues on customers.
Wilson left the post of chairman in December 2013, but continued his relation with the firm as a director.
Tensions between Wilson and company’s other top members refused to die down. He reportedly lashed out at the board of retailer in June last year, blaming the new chairman and a director for being too much focused on short-term growth.
Wilson said that he will be now working for his new family business, Kit and Ace, which is a luxury casual wear company that opened in July.
The company’s shares dropped 1.4 percent at USD 65.34 on the Nasdaq.